CRYSTALLINE NANO STRUCTURES

The present invention comprises nano obelisks and nanostructures and methods and processes for same. The nano obelisks of the present invention are advantageous structures for use as electron source emitters. For example, the ultra sharp obelisks can be used as an emitter source to generate highly coherent and high energy electrons with high current

Exploring socialization processes for leisure-based esports: a qualitative study.

This study analyzed the perspectives of leisure-based esports participants from a Facebook group dedicated to a popular fighting game as esports. This study used a grounded theoretical approach, and several orienting theories/concepts (Serious Leisure, Recreation Specialization, social worlds, and the performance ethic) were used to study socialization into – and through – leisure-based esports participation. Based on ten interviews conducted from September through October 2020, this study found that if individuals were introduced to esports from the performance ethic, they tended to be socialized into social themes associated with the activity and vice versa. Through esports, participants were taught thoughts, actions, and feelings applicable to, both the social world(s) of esports and their outside lives. Participants displayed the hallmarks of serious leisure, as well as stages of increased specialization in esports. This study suggests opportunities for future studies to explore leisure-based esports, meanings of participation for participants, and linkages to professional esports

Characterizing Water and Water-Related Energy Use in Multi-Unit Residential Structures with High Resolution Smart Metering Data

As urban populations continue to grow and expand, localized demands on water supplies continue to increase as well. These water supplies, which have been historically stable, are also threatened by an increasingly erratic climate. Together, these two factors have significantly increased the likelihood of long-term drought conditions in the American West. In response, water suppliers are investigating new ways to record water use in urban areas to better understand how water is used. One of these methods is smart meters; advanced devices that can record and transmit water use information directly to the water supplier. However, these devices can produce extremely large amounts of data, which can often be difficult to manage. This research investigated methods for data collection and management to advance the feasibility of larger smart meter networks. The techniques we developed are described, as well as how these techniques were used to estimate water and water-related energy use in several student dormitories on Utah State University’s campus. We also detail how water and water-related energy use were estimated. These results offer insight into how water and water-related energy are used in buildings like these, which may be of interest to water suppliers looking for ways to increase their understanding of water use beyond just the number of gallons used

Measurement of Functional Residual Capacity of the Lung by Nitrogen Washout/Wash-in in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients

Background: We evaluated the functionality, feasibility of use at the bedside and repeatability of subsequent Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) measurements in mechanically ventilated ICU patients using a new system. The newly developed system had previously been assessed for accuracy in spontaneously breathing human volunteers. Materials and Methods: We measured the FRC of the lungs of 20 mechanically ventilated ICU patients using the nitrogen washout/wash-in technique. Duplicate measures in each of the patients were analyzed for repeatability. Results: The squared correlation coefficient for the linear regression between repeated measurements was r2=0.92 (n=39); y=0.99x +0.03. the bias +/- Standard Deviation was -0.009 +/- 0.212 L (-0.4 +/- 8.9%). The Limits of agreement (mean +/- 2*SD) were between -0.42 and 0.41 L (-17.9 to 17.1%). Conclusion: These results indicate FRC measurement is repeatable within a clinically acceptable range. This method compares favorably with other methods recently reported in the literature. This system could possibly be used in space to monitor lung volume, especially as it relates to pulmonary disease in weightlessness

Evaluation of a CO2 Partial Rebreathing-Based Functional Residual Capacity Measurement Method for Mechanically Ventilated Patients

There is a need for an automated bedside functional residual capacity (FRC) measurement method that can continually monitor both the size and a change in size of a patient’s lung volume during mechanical ventilation without the use of bulky equipment, expensive tracer gases or step increases in inspired oxygen fraction. We developed a CO2 rebreathing method for FRC measurement that simply requires data from a volumetric capnometer (partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) and volume of CO2 eliminated (VCO2) for the measurement. This study was designed to assess the accuracy, precision and repeatability of the proposed FRC measurement system during stable ventilation. Methods: Accuracy and precision of measurements were assessed by comparing the CO2 rebreathing FRC values to the gold standard, body plethysmography, in nine spontaneously breathing volunteers. Repeatability was assessed by comparing subsequent measurements in nine intensive care patients whose lungs were under mechanical ventilation. The accuracy and precision of the CO2 FRC measurement during mechanical ventilation were then compared to the reference method, modified multiple breath nitrogen washout, in the same ICU patients. Results: Compared to body plethysmography, the accuracy (mean bias) of the CO2 method was -0.085 L and precision (1 standard deviation) was 0.033 L (-2.3 ± 9.2% of body plethysmography). The accuracy in the mechanically ventilated patients was -0.055 L and precision was 0.336 L (-2.6% ± 17.5% of nitrogen washout). The difference between repeated FRC measurements in the ICU patients was 0.020 ± 0.42 L (mean ± standard deviation) (1.1 ± 23.4 %). Conclusions: The CO2 rebreathing method for FRC measurement provides acceptable accuracy and repeatability compared to existing methods during ventilation with mechanical ventilation. Further study of the CO2 rebreathing method is needed

Measurement of Functional Residual Capacity of the Lung by Nitrogen Washout, Carbon Dioxide Rebreathing and Body Plethysmography in Healthy Volunteers

Background: We measured Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) of the lungs with three methods in healthy volunteers. The three techniques included a CO2 partial rebreathing technique, nitrogen washout technique, and the reference technique for ambulatory patients, body plethysmography. Materials and Methods: After granting consent to an IRB-approved protocol, each of the 20 healthy volunteers participated in FRC measurement by three methods, including body plethysmography, carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing, and nitrogen washout. Gas concentration and volume data were collected from the distal side of a mouthpiece during spontaneous ventilation for the washout and rebreathing measurements. The FRC was measured twice with a nitrogen washout measurement technique and then signals from five partial CO2 rebreathing measurement cycles were collected. Finally, the nitrogen washout FRC measurements were repeated twice. We compared the average CO2 rebreathing FRC measurements and the average nitrogen washout FRC measurements to the body plethysmography FRC measurements for each subject through statistical methods of linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman Analysis. Results: The squared correlation coefficient for the linear regression between nitrogen washout and body plethysmography measurements was r2 = 0.91 (n = 35). The bias +/- Standard Deviation was 0.054 +/- 0.373 L Conclusion: These results indicate FRC measurement by nitrogen washout correlate well with the body plethysmography reference standard in ambulatory, spontaneously breathing subjects. This method could possibly be used in space to monitor lung function

UPR-Mediated Membrane Biogenesis in B Cells

The unfolded protein response (UPR) can coordinate the regulation of gene transcription and protein translation to balance the load of client proteins with the protein folding and degradative capacities of the ER. Increasing evidence also implicates the UPR in the regulation of lipid synthesis and membrane biogenesis. The differentiation of B lymphocytes into antibody-secreting cells is marked by significant expansion of the ER, the site for antibody synthesis and assembly. In activated B cells, the demand for membrane protein and lipid components leads to activation of the UPR transcriptional activator XBP1(S) which, in turn, initiates a cascade of biochemical events that enhance supplies of phospholipid precursors and build machinery for the synthesis, maturation, and transport of secretory proteins. The alterations in lipid metabolism that occur during this developmental transition and the impact of membrane phospholipid restriction on B cell secretory characteristics are discussed in this paper

Traffic and Navigation Support through an Automobile Heads Up Display (A-HUD)

The automobile industry has produced many cars with new features over the past decade. Taking advantage of advances in technology, cars today have fuel-efficient hybrid engines, proximately sensors, windshield wipers that can detect rain, built-in multimedia entertainment, and all-wheel drive systems that adjust power in real-time. However, the interaction between the driver and the car has not changed significantly. The information being delivered – both in quantity and method – from the car to the driver has not seen the same improvements as there has been “under the hood.” This is a position paper that proposes immersing the driver inside an additional layer of traffic and navigation data, and presenting that data to the driver by embedding display systems into the automobile windows and mirrors. We have developed the initial concepts and ideas for this type of virtual display. Through gaze tracking the digital information is superimposed and registered with real world entities such as street signs and traffic intersections